Penfolds Kalimna Shiraz Bin 170 Block 3C 2010
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Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
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Crafted only once before in 1973, Bin 170 is sourced from old vines planted in the ancient soils of Block 3C, Kalimna vineyard in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.
The Bin 170 Block 3C displays deep, inpenetrable black core with a slight glow of purple on the rim. The wine is a perfect example of classic Kalimna, with pepper and green tobacco aromas that are accompanied by trademark red fruits and a familial old-worldliness. Juniper, blackberry fruits, raspberry stick and red licorice flavors coat the palate.
To house the Bin 170 Block 3C, Penfolds collaborated with Viscount Linley, the master craftsman of unparalleled distinction, nephew of the Queen and Chairman of Auction House Christie's UK. Using both time honored and modern techniques, bespoke wooden cases were commissioned for the 2010 Bin 170 Block 3C for all formats.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Commemorating 170 years of Penfolds and made with grapes from vines around 100 years old, in particular the Kalimna 3C clone, which is a block that almost always makes it into Grange, the deep purple-black colored 2010 Bin 170 Shiraz Kalimna Vineyard Block 3C absolutely “wows” with intense creme de cassis and mocha aromas that are quite meaty and nutty plus accented by some earthy undertones, hints of baking spices, mint and touches of violets. Very concentrated and complex on the medium to full-bodied palate, the firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acid lend support to the very rich, long and layered finish.
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James Suckling
A rare commemorative bottling that marks the 170th birthday of Penfolds, taken from Kalimna Block 3C. A very stylish rendition of rich dark-berried Barossa shiraz with plenty of mocha and spice on the nose, some tar, herbs and plum too, real depth and resonance. The palate is powerfully crafted and delivers an immense statement of concentrated Barossa shiraz fruit, very long, ripe and deep, plum and blackberry, sweet vanilla dusted throughout, brash tannins and juicy depth. Impressive.
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Wine Spectator
Elegant, expressive and harmonious, with juicy dark berry and plum fruit. The edges are shaded by hints of oatmeal and nutmeg, showing a hint of brown sugar on the long, expressive finish. The layers of richness and the savory character blend seamlessly.
Penfolds has been producing remarkable wines since 1844 and indisputably led the development of Australian fine wine in the modern era. The introduction of Penfolds Grange in 1951 forever changed the landscape of Australian fine wine. Since then a series of stand-out wines both white and red have been released under the Penfolds masthead.
Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker and only the 4th custodian of Grange, relishes the opportunity to bring Penfolds to the world stage and is an enthusiastic ambassador and natural educator. Penfolds came to the attention of the US market when 1990 Grange was Wine Spectator’s ‘Wine of the Year’. Since then, Penfolds Grange has become one of the most collectable wines of the world and was honored to grace the front cover, once again, of Wine Spectator, with declarations of Grange as Australia’s Icon.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Historically and presently the most important wine-producing region of Australia, the Barossa Valley is set in the Barossa zone of South Australia, where more than half of the country’s wine is made. Because the climate is very hot and dry, vineyard managers work diligently to ensure grapes reach the perfect levels of phenolic ripeness.
The intense heat is ideal for plush, bold reds, particularly Shiraz on its own or Rhône Blends. Often Shiraz and Cabernet partner up for plump and powerful reds.
While much less prevalent, light-skinned varieties such as Riesling, Viognier or Semillon produce vibrant Barossa Valley whites.
Most of Australia’s largest wine producers are based here and Shiraz plantings date back as far as the 1850s or before. Many of them are dry farmed and bush trained, still offering less than one ton per acre of inky, intense, purple juice.